Heart Transplant

[Newheart18]

My name is Lacey Stephens I had a heart transplant 8-20/06 I had the berlin heart 8-15/06. I never had a heart problem when I was little I was always a healthy kid. PLZ PLZ REPLY BACK I LOVE TO CHAT WITH OTHER PPLE LIKE ME I HAVE DIABETE BC OF MY HEART MEDS

[tbixler420]

Hi Lacey. My name is Timothy Bixler. I am waiting for a heart. I currently have an LVAD. I was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy when i was 20. Just like you, I did not have any problems during my childhood. Congrats on your heart!!!!

[Newheart18]

thank you!!! How are you doing????

[tbixler420]

I am doing well. I am so bored. I want to go back to work so bad. I work as an EMT on an ambulance. There is just nothing to do. How is your new heart doing? It is awesome that you wrote back. Very cool!!!!

[Newheart18]

Don't give up!! find somethig u are interested in. I am doing ok. that is a really cool job u have.

[tbixler420]

I won't give up, it is just frustrating sitting around. I actually started playing a game online and I am gonna start babysitting my friend's daughter so I will have something to do. But a good friend told me that giving up is not an option. I am too stubborn anyway.

[Newheart18]

Hey i am stubborn too!!! yes that is right quiting is not an option.

[BleedingRoses07]

My Mother is on the heart transplant list at the moment, she was born with a faulty heart and has had heart failure 3 times in the past 2 years

[blite13]

Hello, I am on the list. Have an AICD, shocks in the last 4 months, 4 at a time. It will shock to 6 then stop, then death. Had Ablation, shocked me 21 times because of too much scaring. Doc said not worth doing more, 4 shocks followed a month later. I have avg 2 shocks per year, Doc said heart is changing, can't live with thinking of getting shocked all day. PUT ME ON THE LIST PLEASE. Were you prone to diabetes? They say the meds also can cause skin cancer but is it worth it? Do you feel better?

[Newheart18]

Yes I did get diabetes from the heart meds but it is rare tho. I am type 1 diabetic. I do feel better my heart failure came on gradually we never knew i was in heart failure until we went to a normal doctors appointment. the docs said to watch me overnight so my mom and dad did. the next day i headed to st.johns in springfield and was airlifted to st.l

[blite13]

Would you recommend it? They basically have left it up to me, my choice. I can continue living like I do, which isn't much, can't play with kids, can't work but my heart is at 30 % avg is 60-50. I live with it everyday, i feel like crap most of the time. I just need help with my decision, doctors say it is my call but will not say one way or the other. I also see that the avg life expectency is 10 years after implant,I'm torn, so is my wife.

[tbixler420]

hi there, looking through my old messages, i saw this one. just an update, i got my heart in march 2009, and back at work on the ambulance! how are you doing?

[matthewpenix]

awesome video thank you for sharing im 25 years old and next month I have to finish testing to be put on the list then have to meet with the social workers to make decisions thanks for sharing this video with us.

[TimTheFoolMan]

All the best as you travel down that path. - Tim

[carspeedie]

I am 57 and had my transplant in 2004 I had cardiomyopathy and end-stage heart failure. I was first diagnosed in 1991, at which time I had an Aortic Valve Replacement. I was 41 years old. After the transplant,I was in the hospital for 6 months, although that is not normal. I had several complications afterward.

Although my "quality of life" is better, I still am unable to work because of other problems. I do thank god that I am better than I had been.

[blite13]

What other problems? I'm not working, can't get too tired or I am a mess with arrythmia and lot of scaring , I'm at 30% function but when I exert, my heart goes fast and fear over takes because of prior shocks. I was in Cardiac arrest in original cardmyo for 30 mins and walked into the hospital with no blood pressure. They couldn't believe it, called me the miracle man. Heart has been getting weaker and more shocks,can't do much,heart transplant is my only hope for better quality,hope it works.